Steering systems especially for water crafts

ABSTRACT

A vehicle is supported at each of its four corners by any suitable means, such as hydrofoils, pontoons, wheels, skiis, or the like. At both the front and back, oppositely disposed supports are rigidly interconnected and the rigid connection is pivotally attached to the vehicle body or hull. A tongue is individually associated with each of the rigid interconnections and the tongues are pivotally interconnected to simultaneously turn both the front and back supports.

United States Patent 1 3,661,108 Sorenson 1 May 9, 1972 [54] STEERINGSYSTEMS ESPECIALLY FOR 644,843 3/1900 Bink ..180/5O WATER CRAFTS 1,113,071 10/1914 Turner ..180/5O Primary E.\'aminerAndrew H. FarrellArr0rneyAlter. Weiss & Whitesel 5 7 ABSTRACT A vehicle is supported ateach of its four corners by any suitable means, such as hydrofoils,pontoons, wheels, skiis, or the like. At both the front and back,oppositely disposed supports are rigidly interconnected and the rigidconnection is pivotally attached to the vehicle body or hull. A tongueis individually associated with each ofthe rigid interconnections andthe tongues are pivotally interconnected to simultaneously turn both thefront and back supports.

7 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PATENTEDMAY 9 I972 3 661 1 O 8 INVENTOR HUGHE. SORENSON ATTO RNEYS aZZ M /aW STEERING SYSTEMS ESPECIALLY FOR WATERCRAFTS My invention relates to improvements in vehicle steering and moreparticularly although not exclusively to water crafts such as poweractuated crafts or sail boats.

In general, the invention provides new and novel steering meansespecially well adapted for use in pontoon boats. However, the inventionis also adaptable to steering any kind of a vehicle such as sleds,wagons, autos; therefore, the term vehicle is used herein to describeall suitable vehicles not just water craft. Likewise, the term supportmembers" is used herein to cover all suitable vehicular supports such aswheels, skiis, pontoons, hydrofoils, and the like.

More specifically, the invention has particular application to vehicleswhich are difficult to maneuver or control when tight and quick turnsare required. For example, the water craft here shown is adaptable toextremely high speeds, and-is particularly useful in areas such ascrowded resorts. Therefore, there is a need for tight maneuvers underconditions wherein normal high speed boats cannot safely operate.

Accordingly, an object of my invention is to provide a new and improvedmeans of steering a boat, and overcoming the frictional resistance atthe contact between boat and water.

Another object of my invention is to provide a means of steering anytype of water craft, especially during high speed forward movement.Still another object of my invention is to provide a device of thedescribed type that is particularly well adapted for foils or pontoons.Conversely stated, another object is to provide a general purposesteering arrangement and vehicle which may be used on land, in the wateror over snow.

A further object of my invention is to provide a means ofaccomplishingthe same easy steering means on any type of water craft regardless ofwhether it is actuated by any particular means. Here, an object is toenable the operator to make sharp turns, as desired.

One of the most important requisites for the operation of any type ofwater craft is that the operator should be able to steer the craftduring its forward movement, with the least amount of effort and skill.The invention provides for accomplishing this effort through use oftandem coupled pontoons, by hydrofoils, or the like, which enablesthecraft to overcome frictional resistance at increased speed by raisingabove the surface of the water over which it is traveling. The steeringmeans are provided at both ends of the hull to enable tightermaneuvering.

The device is simple in construction, easy to manipulate, and may bemade adaptable to many different types of water craft and othervehicles.

Other and further objects of my inventionwill become more apparent asthe description proceeds, when taken in conjunction with the drawings,in which:

FIG. 1 is a top plan view of an inventive water craft powered by anoutboard motor and equipped with four pontoons;

FIG. 2 is a side elevation view of the assembled device shown and takenalong line 22 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a schematic view (taken along line 3-3 of FIG. 2) of thepontoons or hydrofoils showing the steering arrangement in a left handpath;

FIG. 4 is a similar schematic view of the pontoons or hydrofoilsarranged in a straight forward path;

FIG. 5 is a similar schematic view with the pontoons or hydrofoils in aright hand turn position; and

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary view of the steering gears coupled for operatingonly the front pontoons or hydrofoils (taken along lines 66 of FIGS. 1and 2).

Similar reference characters indicate corresponding parts and featuresthroughout the several views. More particularly, the reference character10 generally indicates the hull of the watercraft, which may have anyconvenient design. It may be constructed of any practical material suchas wood, plastic or metal. The hull 10 is shown with a bow ll, stem 12,front seat 13, and rear seat I4. However, the arrangement of the seatshas little importance to my invention.

In FIGS. 1 and 2, an outboard motor 15 is shown attached to the stern 12in order to propel the water craft 10 in its travel and to steer thecraft while the hull is in the water.

There are four support means at the four corners of the craft, hereshown as pontoons. However, it should be understood that other supportmeans such as wheels, skiis, or the like may be used. Two support meansare shown as pontoons 16 in the front and two shown as 17 in the rear.If desired, the rear pontoons 17 may be mounted in a stationary manner;however, a pivotal mounting may also be used. The two front pontoons 16are rigidly interconnected and supported by members 18 leading to apivoted plate 19 (see FIG. 6). Likewise, the two rear pontoons l7 ai'erigidely interconnected by members 18. The drawing shows that the frontpontoon support is equipped with a bevelled gear 20 which is turned bythe pinion 2] attached to the steering column 22. The steering columnmay be attached to the bow II in any convenient and efficient manner.The column 22 is shown as equipped with a steering wheel 23, which iscontrolled by the operator of the craft. This arrangement turns thepontoons 16 to the right or left to guide the path of the craft.

If desired the rear pontoons 17 may also be pivotally mounted forsteering the water craft in a manner shown in FIGS. 3, 4 and 5.

By referring to FIGS. 3 to 5 inclusive, I show a means of steering therear pontoons 17 in relation to the front pontoons 16. There is a tongueor lever member 24 which is integral with the pivot plate 19 supportingthe front pontoons 16. Another tongue or lever member 25 is integralwith the pivot plate 19 used for supporting the rear pontoons 17. Thelever or tongue member 24 is provided with a vertical pin 26, and thetongue or lever 25 is equipped with a longitudinal slot 27. The pin 26passes through the slot 27. As the front pivot plate 19 turns, the fronttongue or lever member 24 swings, and the pin 26 in the member 24slidably moves in the slot 27 of the rear tongue or lever member 25.This action swings the rear tongue or lever member 25 in an oppositedirection with respect to the front tongue or lever member 24. Thus, therear pontoons 17 point in an opposite direction as compared to the frontpontoons 16. Thus, means are provided for steering the craft at bow andstem with little movement of the steering wheel 23 by the operator.

From the above description it will become apparent that the arrangementas covered by my invention provides a' steering device that is welladapted for tight maneuvering. The pontoons or hydrofoils help toeliminate frictional resistance at the surface of the water. As thespeed of the craft increases, the hull raises above the water and restson the pontoons or foils. The linked arrangement of the tongues orlevers provides ease of steering while the water craft is so poisedabove the water.

Although I have shown a specific arrangement of the parts and featuresconstituting my invention, changes may be made without effecting theoperativeness of the device. Therefore, the claims are to be construedto cover all equivalents which fall within the spirit and the scope ofmy invention.

I claim:

1. An elongated vehicle having a body supported at each of four corners,

means including a tongue for rigidly interconnecting the two frontsupports,

means including a tongue for rigidly interconnecting the two rearsupports,

means for pivotally attaching the rigid interconnections to the frontand the rear of said vehicle body, the points of said pivot attachmentsbeing aligned with the center line in the path of travel followed bysaid body, bevel gear means surrounding the pivotal attachment of thefront support means for rotating said front support means, a steeringcolumn with an associated pinion gear for turning said bevel gear, and

means for interconnecting said tongues whereby any turning of the frontsupport means automatically turns the rear support means to follow saidpath of travel.

2. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said vehicle body comprises a watercraft hull and each of said support means comprises hydrofoils.

3. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein said vehicle body comprises a watercraft hull and each of said support means comprises pontoons.

4. An elongated vehicle having a body supported at the four corners,

said vehicle comprising a watercraft hull and each of said support meanscomprising pontoons,

means including a tongue for rigidly interconnecting the two frontsupports,

means including a tongue for rigidly interconnecting the two rearsupports,

means for pivotally attaching the rigid interconnections to the frontand rear of said vehicle body, the points of said pivot attachmentsbeing aligned with the center line of the path of travel followed bysaid body,

means for interconnecting said tongues whereby any turning of the frontsupports automatically turns the rear support means to follow said pathof travel,

said means for interconnecting said tongues comprising a pivot point pinat the end of one of said tongues, the other of said tongues including aslot along at least part of the length thereof, and said pin sliding insaid slot when said front supports turn.

5. The vehicle of claim 4 and steering means associated with said frontpontoons for turning the bow of said water craft and swinging saidtongues to thereby turn the stern of said water craft.

6. The vehicle of claim 5 and outboard motor means for powering saidvehicle and steering said vehicle while the hull is in the water, saidoutboard motor driving said vehicle at speeds which raises the hull outof the water, said steering means steering when said hull is out of thewater.

7. An elongated vehicle having a body supported at each of four corners,means including a tongue rigidly connecting the two front supports,

means including a tongue for rigidly interconnecting the two rearsupports,

means for pivotally attaching the rigid interconnection to the front andthe rear of said vehicle body,

the points of said pivoted attachments being aligned with the centerline in the path of travel followed by said body, means forinterconnecting said tongues,

said means for interconnecting said tongues comprising a pivot point pinin one of said tongues at the end thereof, the other ofsaid tonguesincluding a slot along at least a part of the length thereof,

and said pivot point pin arranged to slide in said slot as said frontsupport turns,

whereby any turning of the front supports automatically turns the rearsupports to follow the path of travel.

* i l =1 l

1. An elongated vehicle having a body supported at each of four corners,means including a tongue for rigidly interconnecting the two frontsupports, means including a tongue for rigidly interconnecting the tworear supports, means for pivotally attaching the rigid interconnectionsto the front and the rear of said vehicle body, the points of said pivotattachments being aligned with the center line in the path of travelfollowed by said body, bevel gear means surrounding the pivotalattachment of the front support means for rotating said front supportmeans, a steering column with an associated pinion gear for turning saidbevel gear, and means for interconnecting said tongues whereby anyturning of the front support means automatically turns the rear supportmeans to follow said path of travel.
 2. The vehicle of claim 1 whereinsaid vehicle body comprises a water craft hull and each of said supportmeans comprises hydrofoils.
 3. The vehicle of claim 1 wherein saidvehicle body comprises a water craft hull and each of said support meanscomprises pontoons.
 4. An elongated vehicle having a body supported atthe four corners, said vehicle comprising a watercraft hull and each ofsaid support means comprising pontoons, means including a tongue forrigidly interconnecting the two front supports, means including a tonguefor rigidly interconnecting the two rear supports, means for pivotallyattaching the rigid interconnections to the front and rear of saidvehicle body, the points of said pivot attachments being aligned withthe center line of the path of travel followed by said body, means forinterconnecting said tongues whereby any turning of the front supportsautomatically turns the rear support means to follow said path oftravel, said means for interconnecting said tongues comprising a pivotpoint pin at the end of one of said tongues, the other of said tonguesincluding a slot along at least part of the length thereof, and said pinsliding in said slot when said front supports turn.
 5. The vehicle ofclaim 4 and steering means associated with said front pontoons forturning the bow of said water craft and swinging said tongues to therebyturn the stern of said water craft.
 6. The vehicle of claim 5 andoutboard motor means for powering said vehicle and steering said vehiclewhile the hull is in the water, said outboard motor driving said vehicleat speeds which raises the hull out of the water, said steering meanssteering when said hull is out of the water.
 7. An elongated vehiclehaving a body supported at each of four corners, means including atongue rigidly connecting the two front supports, means including atongue for rigidly interconnecting the two rear supports, means forpivotally attaching the rigid interconnection to the front and the rearof said vehicle body, the points of said pivoted attachments beingaligned with the center line in the path of travel followed by saidbody, means for interconnecting said tongues, said means forinterconnecting said tongues comprising a pivot point pin in one of saidtongues at the end thereof, the other of said tongues including a slotalong at least a part of the length thereof, and said pivot point pinarranged to slide in said slot as said front support turns, whereby anyturning of the front supports automatically turns the rear supports tofollow the path of travel.